Methods and apparatus for abating noise during expression of human breast milk

ABSTRACT

A system for abating noise during expression of human breast milk includes a noise abatement device and a breast milk expression pump. The noise abatement device may comprise a container configured to receive the breast milk expression pump, the container configured to abate noise generated by the breast milk expression pump disposed within the container. The noise abatement container may comprise one or more sound-absorbing materials or geometries. When the pump is positioned in the noise abatement container, noise from the pump is abated while the pump is operating.

CROSS-REFERENCE

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/021,604, filed Jul. 7, 2014 (Attorney Docket No. 44936-707.101), thefull disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/221,113, filed Mar. 20, 2014 [Attorney Docket No. 44936-703.201],U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/616,557, filed on Feb. 6, 2015[Attorney Docket No. 44936-704.201], U.S. Provisional Application No.62/021,601, filed on Jul. 7, 2014 [Attorney Docket No. 44936-705.101],U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/021,597, filed on Jul. 7, 2014[Attorney Docket No. 44936-706.101], and U.S. Provisional ApplicationNo. 62/028,219, filed on Jul. 23, 2014 [Attorney Docket No.44936-708.101], the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to medical devices and methods,and more particularly relates to devices and methods for expression andcollection of human breast milk, and even more particularly relates toabatement of noise during expression of human breast milk.

The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are preferably directed toexpression of human breast milk and noise abatement during theexpression, but one of skill in the art will appreciate that this is notintended to be limiting and that the devices, systems and methodsdisclosed herein may be used in other applications.

Breast pumps are commonly used to collect breast milk in order to allowmothers to continue breastfeeding while apart from their children.Currently, there are two primary types of breast pumps:manually-actuated devices, which are small, but inefficient and tiringto use; and electrically-powered devices, which are efficient, but largeand bulky. These can be noisy. Newer pumps have been proposed that usehydraulically activated mechanisms for creating a pressure differential,or other actuation mechanisms have been proposed, and are promising butthey also may create unwanted noise. The noise can make breast pumpingan uncomfortable experience for the user. Therefore, it would also bedesirable to provide devices and methods that can be used with any milkexpression device to help abate the noise. At least some of theseobjectives will be satisfied by the devices and methods disclosed below.

2. Description of the Background Art

The following US patents are related to expression and collection ofhuman breast milk: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,673,036; 6,749,582; 6,840,918;6,887,210; 7,875,000; 8,118,772; and 8,216,179.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to medical devices, systems andmethods, and more particularly relates to devices, systems and methodsfor expression and collection of human breast milk, and even moreparticularly relates to abatement of noise during expression andcollection of human milk.

In a first aspect of the present invention, a system for abating noiseduring expression of breast milk comprises a noise abatement device anda breast milk expression pump. The noise abatement device is configuredto contain the pump, and to abate noise from the pump while the pump isoperating and disposed in the noise abatement device.

The noise abatement device may comprise a container having an opening toreceive the breast milk expression pump. The container may comprise aresilient material that expands to fit the pump. Alternatively or incombination, the container may be sized to fit the pump, wherein thecontainer may comprise upper hinges, lower hinges, left side hinges, andright side hinges, each of the hinges configured to articulate andthereby open or close the opening of the container to accommodate thebreast milk expression pump.

The container may comprise one or more walls configured to absorb soundgenerated by the breast milk expression pump disposed within thecontainer. The one or more walls may be fabricated from one or moresound-absorbing materials, and/or may comprise one or more structuresinside the container that are patterned to absorb reflection of sound.The one or more walls may comprise an inner layer and an outer layer.The inner layer may comprise a compliant absorbing material, and theouter layer may comprise a material that is denser than the inner layerof material, wherein the outer layer is configured to absorb sound wavesthat are dissipated into the inner layer. The inner layer and the outerlayer may be formed from sound-absorbing foam constructed with one ormore sound-absorbing geometries. The outer surface of the one or morewalls comprises a decorative material.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for abating noiseduring expression of human breast milk comprises disposing a breast milkexpression pump in a noise abatement device, wherein the noise abatementdevice is configured to abate noise from the breast milk expression pumpwhen the breast milk expression pump is disposed within the noiseabatement device. The method further comprises operating the breast milkexpression pump, and abating noise from the breast milk expression pumpwith the noise abatement device while the breast milk expression pump isoperating.

The noise abatement device may comprise a container having an opening,and disposing a breast milk expression pump in a noise abatement devicemay comprise inserting the breast milk expression pump into the openingof the container. The method may further comprise adjusting aconfiguration of the container to accommodate the breast milk expressionpump. Adjusting the configuration of the container may comprisearticulating one or more hinges of the container so as to adjust a sizeor a shape of the container to fit the breast milk expression pump.Alternatively or in combination, the container may comprise a resilientmaterial, and adjusting the configuration of the container may compriseexpanding the container to adjust a size or a shape of the container tofit the breast milk expression pump.

These and other embodiments are described in further detail in thefollowing description related to the appended drawing figures.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in thisspecification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent asif each individual publication, patent, or patent application wasspecifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity inthe appended claims. A better understanding of the features andadvantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to thefollowing detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments,in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and theaccompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pumpingdevice.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pumpingdevice.

FIG. 3 is a cross-section of an exemplary embodiment of a pumpingdevice.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an actuatable assemblycoupled to a driving mechanism.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of an actuatable assemblycoupled to a pendant unit.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a breastinterface.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of abreast interface.

FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of anintegrated valve in an open position.

FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of anintegrated valve in a closed position.

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment ofintegrated sensors within a breast interface.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment ofintegrated sensors within a breast interface.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pendant unit and amobile device.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a pendant unit incommunication with a mobile device.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a breastinterface with a mechanical deformable member.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of amechanical driver for a mechanical deformable member.

FIG. 14 is a graph illustrating the pump performance of an exemplaryembodiment compared to a commercial device.

FIG. 15 is a graph illustrating the pumping efficiency of an exemplaryembodiment compared to a commercial device.

FIGS. 16A-16B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a noise abatementdevice.

FIGS. 17A-17B illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a noiseabatement device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Specific embodiments of the disclosed devices and methods will now bedescribed with reference to the drawings. Nothing in this detaileddescription is intended to imply that any particular component, feature,or step is essential to the invention. One of skill in the art willappreciate that various features or steps may be substituted or combinedwith one another.

The present invention will be described in relation to the expressionand collection of breast milk and abatement of noise during expressionof breast milk. However, one of skill in the art will appreciate thatthis is not intended to be limiting, and the devices, systems, andmethods disclosed herein may be used in any number of other applicationswhich may or may not involve expression of breast milk. For example, thedevices, systems and methods described herein may be used to create anddeliver a pressure differential to a patient, such as in the treatmentof sleep apnea. Thus abatement of noise during treatment of sleep apneais also contemplated.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.Pumping device 100 includes breast interfaces 105, a tube 110, and acontroller or pendant unit 115 operatively coupled to breast interfaces105 through tube 110. Breast interfaces 105 include resilient andconformable flanges 120, for engaging and creating a fluid seal againstthe breasts, and collection vessels 125. The device may optionally onlyhave a single breast interface. Pendant unit 115 houses the power sourceand drive mechanism for pumping device 100, and also contains hardwarefor various functions, such as controlling pumping device 100, milkproduction quantification, and communication with other devices. Tube110 transmits suitable energy inputs, such as mechanical energy inputs,from pendant unit 115 over a long distance to breast interfaces 105.Breast interfaces 105 convert the energy inputs into vacuum pressureagainst the breasts in a highly efficient manner, resulting in theexpression of milk into collection vessels 125.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that components and features ofthis exemplary embodiment can be combined or substituted with componentsand features of any of the embodiments of the present invention asdescribed below. Similarly, components and features of other embodimentsdisclosed herein may be substituted or combined with one another.

Hydraulic Pumping Device

Hydraulic or pneumatic systems can reduce pumping force requirements,and therefore also reduce the size of the pumping device, whilemaintaining high pumping efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, thepumping device can utilize a hydraulic or pneumatic pumping device togenerate a pressure differential against the breast for the expressionand collection of milk.

Exemplary hydraulic pumping devices are depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.2 illustrates a pumping device 150 with a syringe 155 fluidly coupled tobreast interface 160 by tube 165. Syringe 155 is coupled to tube 165through a three-way valve 170. Breast interface 160 contains an exitport 175. The syringe 155 drives a fluid 180 contained within tube 165against or away from a flexible member contained within breast interface160 to create the pressure differential necessary for milk expressionfrom the breast.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of a pumping device 200. Theactuatable assembly 205 includes an assembly housing 210, a drivingelement 215, radial seals 220, and a shaft 222. Driving element 215 isoperatively coupled to a pendant unit, such as pendant unit 115, throughshaft 222. The tube 225 contains a fluid 230 and is fluidly coupled tothe actuatable assembly 205 and the breast interface 235. The breastinterface 235 consists of an interface housing 240, a flexible membrane245, a reservoir 250, a sealing element 255, an expression area 260, anda drain port 265. The sealing element 255 includes deformable portion270. The drain port 265 is coupled to a collection vessel 275 andincludes a flap valve 280.

Actuatable assembly 205 displaces fluid 230 contained within tube 225,which can be a flexible line. Fluid 230 occupies reservoir 250 withinbreast interface 235 and is coupled with flexible membrane 245. Flexiblemembrane 245 transmits vacuum pressure from fluid 230 to the deformableportion 270 of sealing element 255. When a breast is engaged into andfluidly sealed with breast interface 235 by sealing element 255,displacement of the actuatable element 215 produces substantial vacuumpressure against the breast through flexible membrane 245 and deformableportion 270, resulting in the expression of breast milk into expressionarea 260. The expressed milk drains through drain port 265 intocollection vessel 275. Drain port 265 is configured with a flap valve280 to provide passage of milk while maintaining vacuum pressure inexpression area 260.

The fluid for the hydraulic pumping device can be any suitable fluid,such as an incompressible fluid. In many embodiments, the incompressiblefluid can be water or oil. Alternatively, the fluid can be any suitablegas, such as air. Suitable incompressible fluids and gases for hydraulicsystems are known to those of skill in the art.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that components and features ofany of the exemplary embodiments of the hydraulic pumping device can becombined or substituted with components and features of any of theembodiments of the present invention as described herein.

Actuation Mechanism

Many actuation mechanisms known to those of skill in the art can beutilized for the actuatable assembly 205. Actuatable assembly 205 can bea piston assembly, a pump such as a diaphragm pump, or any othersuitable actuation mechanism. The optimal configuration for actuatableassembly 205 can depend on a number of factors, such as: vacuumrequirements; size, power, and other needs of the pumping device 200;and the properties of the fluid 230, such as viscosity,biocompatibility, and fluid life requirements.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which actuatable assembly205 is a piston assembly and driving element 215 is a piston. Actuatableassembly 205 includes radial seals 220, such as 0-rings, sealing againstassembly housing 210 to prevent undesired egress of fluid 230 and toenable driving of fluid 230.

FIG. 4 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of an actuatableassembly 300 including a pair of pistons 305.

In preferred embodiments, the actuatable assembly includes a drivingelement powered by a suitable driving mechanism, such as a drivingmechanism residing in pendant unit 115. Many driving mechanisms areknown to those of skill in the art. For instance, the driving element,such as driving element 215, may be actuated electromechanically by amotor, or manually by a suitable user-operated interface, such as alever. Various drive modalities known to those of skill in the art canbe used. In particular, implementation of the exemplary hydraulicpumping devices as described herein enables the use of suitable drivemodalities such as direct drive and solenoids, owing to the reducedforce requirements of hydraulic systems.

Referring now to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the pistons 305include couplings 310 to a crankshaft 315. The crankshaft 315 isoperatively coupled to a motor 320 through a belt drive 325. Thecrankshaft 315 drives the pair of pistons 305 with the same stroketiming in order to apply vacuum pressure against both breastssimultaneously, a feature desirable for increased milk production.Alternatively, the crankshaft 315 can drive the pair of pistons 305 withany suitable stroke timing, such as alternating or offset stroke cycles.

The driving mechanism can be powered by any suitable power source, suchas a local battery or an AC adaptor. The driving mechanism can becontrolled by hardware, such as onboard electronics located withinpendant unit 115.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an actuatable assembly 350that includes releasable coupling 355. Preferably, actuatable assembly350 is releasably coupled to a pendant unit 360 and the drivingmechanism housed therein. The coupling can be a mechanical coupling orany suitable quick release mechanism known to those of skill in the art.The releasably coupled design allows for flexibility in theconfiguration and use of the pumping device. For instance, user comfortcan be improved through the use of differently sized breast interfacesfor compatibility with various breast sizes. Additionally, this featureenables a common pumping device to be used with interchangeable breastinterfaces, thus reducing the risk of spreading pathogens. Furthermore,the releasable coupling enables easy replacement of individual parts ofthe pumping device.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that components and features ofany of the exemplary embodiments of the actuation mechanism can becombined or substituted with components and features of any of theembodiments of the present invention as described herein.

Flexible Membrane

In many embodiments such as the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, theflexible membrane 245 is located within breast interface 235 anddisposed over at least portion thereof, forming reservoir 250 betweenthe interface housing 240 and the flexible membrane 245. Preferably, theflexible membrane 245 deforms substantially when subject to the negativepressures created when the fluid 230 is displaced from reservoir 250 byactuatable assembly 205. The amount of deformation of the flexiblemembrane 245 can be controlled by many factors, (e.g., wall thickness,durometer, surface area) and can be optimized based on the pumpingdevice (e.g., pump power, vacuum requirements).

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary flexible membrane 370 with a specifiedthickness and durometer.

FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment of flexible membrane 375 withcorrugated features 380 for increased surface area.

Suitable materials for the flexible membrane are known to those of skillin the art. In many embodiments, the flexible membrane can be made of amaterial designed to expand and contract when subject to pressures fromthe coupling fluid such as silicone, polyether block amides such asPEBAX, and polychloroprenes such as neoprene. Alternatively, theflexible membrane can be fabricated from a substantially rigid material,such as stainless steel, nitinol, high durometer polymer, or highdurometer elastomer. In these embodiments, the rigid material would bedesigned with stress and/or strain distribution elements to enable thesubstantial deformation of the flexible membrane without surpassing theyield point of the material.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate preferred embodiments of a breast interface400 in which an exit valve 405 is integrated into the flexible membrane410 to control the flow of expressed milk through exit port 415. Theexit valve 405 is opened to allow fluid flow when the flexible membrane410 is relaxed, as shown in FIG. 8A, and is closed to prevent fluid flowwhen the flexible membrane 410 is deformed, as shown in FIG. 8B. Theexit valve 405 enables substantial vacuum pressure to be present inexpression area 420 during extraction, while allowing milk to drainduring the rest phase of the pump stroke. While many conventional breastpump valves function on pressure differentials alone, the exit valve 405can preferably be configured to also function on the mechanical movementof flexible membrane 410. Incorporation of an integrated exit valve 405with mechanical functionality as described herein can improve thesealing of the breast interface 400 during vacuum creation. Furthermore,the implementation of an exit valve integrally formed within theflexible membrane 410 such as exit valve 405 reduces the number of partsto be cleaned.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that components and features ofany of the exemplary embodiments of the flexible membrane can becombined or substituted with components and features of any of theembodiments of the present invention as described herein.

Milk Collection and Quantification System

With reference to FIG. 3, expressed milk drains through exit port 265 inflexible membrane 245 into a collection vessel 275. Collection vessel275 can be any suitable container, such as a bottle or a bag. In manyembodiments, collection vessel 275 is removably coupled to flexiblemembrane 245. Collection vessel 275 can be coupled directly or remotelyvia any suitable device such as extension tubing.

In many instances, it can be desirable to track various data related tomilk expression and collection, such as the amount of milk production.Currently, the tracking of milk production is commonly accomplished bymanual measurements and record-keeping. Exemplary embodiments of thedevice described herein may provide digital-based means to automaticallymeasure and track milk production for improved convenience, efficiency,and accuracy.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrates exemplary embodiments of a breast interface450 with one or more integrated sensors 455. Sensors 455 are preferablylocated in flap valve 460, but may also be located in exit valve 465, orany other suitable location for monitoring fluid flow. In a preferredembodiment, at least one sensor 455 is integrated into a valve that isopened by fluid flow and detects the length of time that the valve isopened. The sensor signal can be interrogated to quantify the fluidflow. Suitable sensors are known to those of skill in the art, such asaccelerometers, Hall effect sensors, and photodiode/LED sensors. Thebreast interface can include a single sensor or multiple sensors toquantify milk production.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of pendant unit 500 in whichmilk expression data is shown on a display screen 505. In manyembodiments, the pendant unit 500 collects, processes, stores, anddisplays data related to milk expression. Preferably, the pendant unit500 can transmit the data to a second device, such as a mobile phone510.

FIG. 11 illustrates data transmission 515 between pendant unit 500 and amobile phone 510. Suitable methods for communication and datatransmission between devices are known to those of skill in the art,such as Bluetooth or near field communication.

In exemplary embodiments, the pendant unit 500 communicates with amobile phone 510 to transmit milk expression data, such as expressionvolume, duration, and date. The mobile phone 510 includes a mobileapplication to collect and aggregate the expression data and display itin an interactive format. Preferably, the mobile application includesadditional features that allow the user to overlay information such aslifestyle choices, diet, and strategies for increasing milk production,in order to facilitate the comparison of such information with milkproduction statistics. Additionally, the pendant unit 500 can sendinformation about the times of pump usage to the mobile phone 510 sothat the mobile application can identify when pumping has occurred andset reminders at desired pumping times. Such reminders can help avoidmissed pumping sessions, and thus reduce the incidence of associatedcomplications such as mastitis.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that components and features ofany of the exemplary embodiments of the milk collection andquantification system can be combined or substituted with components andfeatures of any of the embodiments of the present invention as describedherein.

Mechanical Pumping Device

FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a breast interface 600in which a mechanical deformable member 605 can be used in place of aflexible membrane. The mechanical deformable member 605 can beconstructed from similar techniques as those used for the flexiblemembrane as described herein. The mechanical deformable member 605 iscoupled to a tensile element 610. In some instances, tensile element 610is disposed within an axial load absorbing member 615. The axial loadabsorbing member 615 is disposed within tube 620. Preferably, tensileelement 610 is concentrically disposed within axial load absorbingmember 615 and axial load absorbing member 615 is concentricallydisposed within tube 620. Alternative arrangements of tensile element610, axial load absorbing member 615, and tube 620 can also be used.

FIG. 13 illustrates the tensile element 610 coupled to driving element625 of an actuatable assembly 630 within an assembly housing 635.Driving element 625 is operatively coupled to a driving mechanism, suchas a driving mechanism housed within a pendant unit, through shaft 640.Axial load absorbing member 615 within tube 620 is fixedly coupled tothe assembly housing 635. Displacement of the driving element 625transmits tensile force through tensile element 610 to the mechanicaldeforming member 605 to create vacuum pressure against the breast.

The tensile element 610 can be any suitable device, such as a wire,coil, or rope, and can be made from any suitable material, such asmetals, polymers, or elastomers. Axial load absorbing member 615 can bemade from any suitable axially stiff materials, such as metals orpolymers, and can be configured into any suitable axially stiffgeometry, such as a tube or coil.

One of skill in the art will appreciate that components and features ofany of the exemplary embodiments of the mechanical pumping device can becombined or substituted with components and features of any of theembodiments of the present invention as described herein.

Experimental Data

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate experimental pumping data obtained from acommercial breast pump device and an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. The exemplary embodiment utilized an incompressible fluid forpumping and had a maximum hydraulic fluid volume of 4 cc, while thecommercial device utilized air for pumping and had a maximum volume of114 cc.

FIG. 14 illustrates a graph of the pump performance as quantified byvacuum pressure generated per run. For the exemplary embodiment,pressure measurements were taken for 1 cc, 2 cc, 3 cc, and 4 cc of fluidvolume displaced by the pump, with the run number corresponding to thevolume in cc. For the commercial device, measurements were taken withthe pump set to one of seven equally incremented positions along thevacuum adjustment gauge representing 46 cc, 57 cc, 68 cc, 80 cc, 91 cc,103 cc, and 114 cc of fluid volume displaced by the pump, respectively,with the run number corresponding to the position number. Curve 700corresponds to the exemplary embodiment and curve 705 corresponds to thecommercial device. The exemplary embodiment generated higher levels ofvacuum pressure per displacement volume compared to the commercialdevice, with maximum vacuum pressures of −240.5 mmHg and −177.9 mmHg,respectively.

FIG. 15 illustrates a graph of the pump efficiency as measured by themaximum vacuum pressure per maximum volume of fluid displaced, with bar710 corresponding to the exemplary embodiment and bar 715 correspondingto the commercial device. The exemplary embodiment demonstrated a42-fold increase in pumping efficiency compared to the commercialdevice, with efficiencies of −71.1 mmHg/cc and −1.7 mmHg/cc,respectively.

Noise Abatement

As previously mentioned, the pumping devices often generate noise thatcan be loud and uncomfortable to the user during expression of breastmilk. Additionally, a quiet device allows more discrete and convenientpumping. Therefore, it can be desirable to provide additional devicesand methods that facilitate abatement of noise during expression ofmilk. The devices, systems and methods for noise abatement that aredescribed below may be used with any of the pumps currently available ordisclosed herein. Additionally, the devices, systems and methodsdescribed below may be combined with or substituted with any of theother features described herein.

FIGS. 16A-16B illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a noise abatementdevice 1600. The noise abatement device 1600 includes a container orsack 1604 with an opening 1616 through which the pump device 1602 may beinserted. The container or sack 1604 may be sized to fit the pumpdevice, or it may be fabricated from resilient material that expands toaccept the pump, or it may be oversized and fit the pump with room tospare. In this exemplary embodiment, the container 1604 includes upperand lower hinges 1606 and left and right side hinges 1608 that allow thesides of the container to articulate and open or close to accommodatethe pump 1602. The walls 1610 may be fabricated from any number ofwell-known sound absorbing materials, or they may have structures insidethe container that are patterned to prevent or minimize noise byabsorbing or preventing reflection of sound such as in an anechoicchamber. The container 1604 includes walls 1610 that preferably have twolayers of material, an inner layer of material 1614, and an outer layerof material 1612, or an outer liner as seen in FIG. 16B.

The outer layer of material 1612 is preferably a dense material and maybe described as a high momentum material. This material is typicallydenser than the compliant absorbing material that forms the inner layer1614. When subjected to sound vibrations, the high momentum materialabsorbs the sound waves, which are dissipated through kinetic energyinto the compliant inner layer of material 1614. In alternativeembodiments, the container may be fabricated from flexible materials andthus the hinges may not be required.

FIG. 17A-17B illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a sack 1702 inwhich a pump 1706 may be disposed in order to abate noise. The pump 1706may be any currently available pump or any of those disclosed herein.The sack has a central opening 1704 sized to accept the pump 1706. Thesack 1702 has an outer wall 1708 which is formed from sound absorbingfoam constructed with geometries known in the art that absorb sound. Theouter surface of wall 1708 is preferably formed with a decorativematerial designed to be aesthetically pleasing, and the inner layer 1712is preferably formed with sound absorbing foam. FIG. 17B illustrates across-section of the sack wall 1708.

One of skill in the art will appreciate the noise abatement containermay be independent or integrated into another container such as a bag.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatsuch embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerousvariations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilledin the art without departing from the invention. It should be understoodthat various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention describedherein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended thatthe following claims define the scope of the invention and that methodsand structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents becovered thereby.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for abating noise during expression ofbreast milk, said system comprising: a breast milk expression pump; anda noise abatement device configured to contain the breast milkexpression pump; wherein the noise abatement device is configured toabate noise from the breast milk expression pump while the breast milkexpression pump is operating and disposed in the noise abatement device.2. The system of claim 1, wherein the noise abatement device comprises acontainer having an opening to receive the breast milk expression pump.3. The system of claim 2, wherein the container comprises a resilientmaterial that expands to fit the breast milk expression pump.
 4. Thesystem of claim 2, wherein the container is sized to fit the breast milkexpression pump.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the containercomprises upper hinges, lower hinges, left side hinges, and right sidehinges, each of the hinges configured to articulate and thereby open orclose the opening of the container to accommodate the breast milkexpression pump.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein the containercomprises one or more walls configured to absorb sound generated by thebreast milk expression pump disposed within the container.
 7. The systemof claim 6, wherein the one or more walls are fabricated from one ormore sound-absorbing materials.
 8. The system of claim 6, wherein theone or more walls comprise one or more structures inside the containerthat are patterned to absorb reflection of sound.
 9. The system of claim6, wherein one or more walls comprise an inner layer and an outer layer.10. The system of claim 9, wherein the inner layer comprises a compliantabsorbing material and the outer layer comprises a material that isdenser than the inner layer of material, and wherein the outer layer isconfigured to absorb sound waves that are dissipated into the innerlayer.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the inner layer and the outerlayer are formed from sound-absorbing foam constructed with one or moresound-absorbing geometries.
 12. The system of claim 6, wherein an outersurface of the one or more walls comprises a decorative material.
 13. Amethod for abating noise during expression of breast milk, said methodcomprising: disposing a breast milk expression pump in a noise abatementdevice, wherein the noise abatement device is configured to abate noisefrom the breast milk expression pump when the breast milk expressionpump is disposed within the noise abatement device; operating the breastmilk expression pump; and abating noise from the breast milk expressionpump with the noise abatement device while the breast milk expressionpump is operating
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the noiseabatement device comprises a container having an opening, and disposinga breast milk expression pump in a noise abatement device comprisesinserting the breast milk expression pump into the opening of thecontainer, the method further comprising adjusting a configuration ofthe container to accommodate the breast milk expression pump.
 15. Themethod of claim 14, wherein adjusting the configuration of the containercomprises articulating one or more hinges of the container so as toadjust a size or a shape of the container to fit the breast milkexpression pump.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the containercomprises a resilient material, and adjusting the configuration of thecontainer comprises expanding the container to adjust a size or a shapeof the container to fit the breast milk expression pump.